Uzbekistan Qualifies for 2026 World Cup
Photo: Instagram.com/uzbekistanfa
Uzbekistan’s national football team has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — making history as the first nation from Central Asia to do so since gaining independence, Orda.kz reports.
A 0–0 draw against the UAE on June 5 in Abu Dhabi secured Uzbekistan second place in Group A of the Asian qualifiers, guaranteeing direct entry with 18 points. Iran tops the group with 20 points; both teams have qualified.
Led by Timur Kapadze, who took over shortly before the final two matches, Uzbekistan had a strong campaign, losing just once in 12 qualifiers.
This is Uzbekistan’s first World Cup appearance after eight previous unsuccessful qualification attempts since gaining independence in 1991. The 2026 tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams.
Uzbekistan is the eighth Asian nation to qualify, joining hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico, as well as Japan, Argentina, New Zealand, and Iran.
Several Uzbekistan players currently play in Europe — including Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City), Eldor Shomurodov (AS Roma), and Fayzullaev (CSKA Moscow).
Original Author: Ruslan Loginov
Latest news
- Orda.kz Editorial Team to Cease Operations on September 1
- The Price of a Degree: How Students in Kazakhstan Pay for University
- Second Przewalski’s Horse Foal Born as Species Returns to Kazakhstan
- Kazakh Mining Companies Can Recalculate Purchases if Tenge Weakens
- Kazakhstan Names First Vice President in Three Decades
- What Almaty’s Bus Shelters Are Missing
- 400-Truck Queue Builds at Kazakh–Kyrgyz Border
- Kazakhstan Ready to Help Feed and Rebuild Gaza
- Tokayev Establishes New Presidential Security Body
- Almaty Takes Back Its Nearly Century-Old Hippodrome
- No More Guesswork on Savings: Kazakhstan Tightens Energy Audits for Businesses
- Public Money Could Be Used to Rescue Failing Kazakh Banks
- Third Kazakh Woman Reported Missing in Nepal-China Flood Zone
- Falconer Convicted Over 35 Protected Birds, Spared Punishment Under Amnesty
- Kazakh Citizen Detained in Yakutia in Phone Fraud Case
- Yuan Instead of Dollars? KazMunayGas Draws Record Demand in Asia
- China Gains Oil-Market Influence as OPEC+ Weakens
- Kazakhstan to Divide Smartphones Into White, Gray and Black Lists
- Kazakhstan’s Government Formally Resigns as First Kurultai Session Opens
- Rare Lynx Sighting Recorded in Northern Kazakhstan
